The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-02-11
PRISON CONTRACT LABOR.

Among the early bills introduced in
to the Legislature this winter was one
to abolish contract labor in the state
prison. This is a subject which has
engaged no little attention in other
states as we'll as in Wisconsin, but no
definite result seems to have yet been
reached. The superficial thinker may
be induced to jump to conclusions at
once, as the system may or may not
conflict with his interest; but the sub
ject requires thorough investigation
as we'll as due consideration after
wards. No one will deny that it
would not only be detrimental to the
state to support convicts in idleness.
but detrimental to the cOnvicts them
selves. 1t is self-evident that prisons
cannot be abolished; they are not only
necessary to punish the evil-doer, but
to protect the community. 70 sub
ject him to solitary confinement
would not only punish him. but pun
ish the state to the extent of his sup
port. 1t would also be cruel and in
human, and defeat any prospect for
his reform. The people labor and he
should labor.
The agitator on the labor question
says he must not be brought into COM
petition with honest labor, but fails to
tell us what TODD with him-at what he
can be employed to earn his support,
which will not compete with some
class of laborers. IT engaged in a low
grade of labor, such as working on the
streets, breaking stone, digging bitches,
&C., he comes in competition with a
class of unskilled workmen who de-
pend upon coarse labor for living,
and can much less afford to be crowd
ed than the mechanic, who earns high
er wages. Besides such occupations
could be followed but portion of the
year, and much greater number of
guards and attendants would be re-
quired to manage them, thereby in
creasing the expense, while the returns
of such labor would not be adequate to
their support. These arguments are
not new; they are obvious to any one.
There is vast amount of imprac-
ticable talk about convict labor COM
ing in competition with honest labor.
The prevalent idea that it is degrading
to the mechanic whose products are
put upon the same market, or happen
to be compared with the products of
convict labor, is more imaginary than
real.
The state prison at Waupun contains
about 460 convicts. At present they
are earning so cents day at contract
labor, making shoes for Chicago
house, the contractor furnishing the
stock and machinery. Perhaps $50 are
employed at mechanical labor, while
the others are engaged as domestics
and at other occupations. Their labor
is not severe; tea hours constitutes a
days work, and the appearance of the
convicts at work presents nothing ma
terially different from any other we'll
regulated establishment. The state
boards them and has entire control of
their discipline; hence they cannot be
over-worked or cruelty treated by the
contractors. 1t is not probable that
three per cent of the products of the
west, in that line, are. turned out by
them. If any remunerative employ
ment can be devised which will COM
pete with no class of working men,
the problem will be solved at once,
and the state should not hesitate to
adopt the change. We are open to
conviction as soon as such state Of
affairs can be brought about. d.